David Schmitz

David Schmitz has led the Iowa Arts Council since 2020. He previously served as a community resources specialist with the agency and managed programs supporting the development of community arts and public art. A trained visual artist, Schmitz has more than 15 years of experience in the arts, public administration and art museums. Most recently, he served as executive director of the Dubuque Museum of Art, an accredited regional art museum and Smithsonian Affiliate, and has held roles with the Des Moines Art Center and Chicago Artists’ Coalition. Schmitz is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Columbia College Chicago, and the Getty Leadership Institute. He has served on the board of the Iowa Cultural Coalition and as a reviewer for Americans for the Arts and the Joan Mitchell Foundation. He has also served on numerous grant review panels, including for Vermont and Ohio, most recently. In his current role with the Iowa Arts Council, Schmitz works with a professional staff, advisory council, and many statewide partners to advance the organization’s strategic vision and goals, which include enhancing networks and infrastructure for the arts, expanding access to resources, and championing the arts and creative industries in Iowa. Schmitz’s passion for the work and role of arts service organizations stems from his belief in the power of the arts to transform lives and communities. (Board term FY2024-2026)